Hunting buddy Flathead has provided photographic proof of a medium-sized bullfrog that ate what appeared to be a song sparrow (see www.pjstar.com/outdoors). After examining the bird, Flathead returned it to the frog, who swallowed the sparrow again. A few days later, the frog passed feathers in his stool.

Apparently, bird-eating bullfrogs are not uncommon. Mike Conlin, head of the Department of Natural Resources office of resource conservation, once cleaned a fat-bellied bullfrog that had eaten an adult red-winged blackbird.

"If bullfrogs weighed 50 pounds, there would be no people on Earth," Conlin said.

By the Numbers: 1.4

Millions of meals served to the needy thanks to the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program.

Good Year for Bluebirds

This has been a good year for bluebirds, according to Herb Unkrich of Edwards, who tends to 65 nest boxes in Peoria County. Bluebirds fledged 395 youngsters this year in Unkrich's nest boxes, up 27 percent from 2006. Of 566 eggs seen in the nests, 454 hatched.

Colonial Fair at Jubilee

Jubilee College State Park will be transported back to Colonial American times Friday through next Sunday during an extensive re-enactment. Visitors can visit a Native American village, interact with re-enacters, view military drills and join activities.

"We want families to have a good time," said Jim Winter, an event organizer. "They will be able to take part in and do things and not just watch."

The fair starts with a school event Friday and then is open to the general public Saturday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and next Sunday (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Admission is $7 per car. Refreshments will be available.

Venison Helps the Needy

Deer hunters are again being asked to donate venison to the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program. Since 1989 ISAH has helped process more than 359,000 pounds of venison. The Department of Natural Resources uses $100,000 from the sale of non-resident archery deer permits to help cover processing costs.

Expectations are high heading into the Oct. 20 South Dakota pheasant season opener thanks to pheasant populations that are at an all-time record. Brood counts this year were 18 percent above those counted in 2005 - which at the time was the highest level recorded in 40 years.

Birding Bits

Illinois birders have been buzzing about the sighting of a green-breasted Mango near Beloit, Wis. This is the first recording of the rare central American hummingbird in Wisconsin.

This 'n' That

Federal Junior Duck Stamp artwork from 50 states will be on display at Dickson Mounds Museum from Friday through Oct. 30. … "This is a very, very active year for (epizootic hemorrhagic disease) in this area," said biologist Brad Poulter, who serves Adams, Schuyler and Hancock counties. Poulter said one 600-acre farm had 27 deer dead from EHD. … Bernie McPherson of Carthage had a perfect score with his 1885 Browning rifle last week at the Hancock County Gun Club's buffalo shoot, a first in several years.

Peoria Journal Star

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